Page 20 of Philly
“It didn’t feel brave at the time. I felt like a coward, running away from them. From you.”
Callie inhaled, then let it out with a huff. “I’ve never held it against you, you know. I’ve always admired you. Maybe we can agree that we both made the best decisions we could?”
“And when we know better, we make better choices?”
Callie thought that might be going too far. She had no clue if the choice she’d made was the better one. But she was committed. “Hopefully.”
“You’ve quit. You’re starting something new. So what are you doing? Driving somewhere, obviously.”
Callie adjusted her hands on the steering. “Now I’m going to start consulting with a private security company that is going to let me keep working on Liza’s case.”
“Perfect. You’ll get to do all the investigative puzzle-like things you love without bureaucracy breathing down your neck.”
“Only they want me in their office in California. Mystery Lake.”
This time, Daphne’s laugh was more of a husky chuckle. “Ah, the Fates can be a bitch, can’t they?”
“You have no idea.”
“You headed there now?”
“Yep, staying in Nashville tonight. Taking the southern route.”
“You have your stuff?”
“No, I put it all in storage. It’s temporary, so I found a furnished place to rent for a few months.” A cute little cabin she was lucky to find without having to pay an arm and a leg, given Mystery Lake was headed into ski season.
“You’ll drive safe?” Daphne asked.
“Of course.”
“And now that I know you’re on the road, I want you to check in every night.”
Callie made a face. “Nighttime here is like three in the morning for you—depending on where I’m calling from.”
“Then text when you get to the hotel and call in the morning.”
“You are such a big sister.”
Daphne snorted. “If the tables were turned, you’d have law enforcement in every town along the way checking in on me.”
Callie fought a grin and lost. “Probably. Fine, I’ll text and call. Love you.”
“Love you, too, and drive safe.”
They disconnected, and suddenly, the rumble of the road under her tires seemed a lot louder. With a sigh, she opened her audiobook app and pressed Play.
11
“Nothing,” Leo said, kicking his feet out toward the flames roaring in the fireplace. Mantis had insisted they include the massive structure when they designed the main room of the clubhouse, and coming from Pennsylvania and its snowy winters, Philly hadn’t objected. It threw enough heat to not be a wasted investment, but it wasn’t the most efficient. Although, to be fair, the ambiance it created balanced out any inefficiency.
“Ever?”Philly asked. Leo had convinced Ava to turn over the investigation into the Nolans. Or, more likely, Mitch had. Either way, Philly was glad for the help.
“Ava already told you that she found nothing.”
Philly frowned. “So there’s no reason Callie should be looking into the family at all? No shady dealings that would have come to the attention of the FBI? No whistleblower?”
Leo inclined his head. “Well, she has a reason, but so far, I haven’t found it. There’s nothing in the FBI files about the Nolan family.”
